SLSEA to increase renewable energy

By Lalin Fernandopulle

The contribution of renewable energy to the national grid will be increased to 10 percent by 2015 and 20 percent by 2020, Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA), Director General Dr. Thusitha Sugathapala said.

Dr. Thusitha Sugathapala

He said that at present the renewable energy sector generates around 275 MW of power. SLSEA hopes to increase it by around 40 to 50 MW this year. The current contribution of the renewable energy sector to the national Grid is around seven percent.Energy sector experts predict that Sri Lanka's energy requirement will double by 2020.

Global statistics reveal that world fossil fuels are depleting at a rapid pace which requires countries to depend more on renewable energy sources.

Over 40 percent of Sri Lanka's gross income is spent on oil import for transportation and to produce thermal power. The per capita energy consumption in Sri Lanka is around 600KWH a year. Sri Lanka's current energy need is around 10,000 GWH which will double by 2020.

“The need for sustainable energy is grave as Sri Lanka's energy requirement is increasing rapidly. Harnessing wind, solar and biomass is vital to reduce the rising energy prices and consumption in Sri Lanka,” Dr. Sugathapala said.Certain experts are of the view that coal is an alternative to costly thermal power. The potential of coal power generation in Sri Lanka has not been realised yet.The production cost of a unit of electricity is around Rs. 17. The Ceylon Electricity Board sells a unit for around Rs. 13.

SLSEA aims at reducing the country's thermal energy consumption by 20 percent of the 2010 value by 2020. Around 2,000 GWH per year will be reduced by 2020.

“The energy as a topic will be introduced to the science subject in schools. Training programs will be conducted in this regard for Science teachers. Already 60 school clubs have been set up in the 96 educational zones. A school will be given Rs. 30,000 to conduct awareness programs,” Dr. Sugathapala said.

SLSEA also targets large-scale consumers such as commercial establishments and industries for energy conservation under the National Energy Management Program (EnMaP). Energy managers will be appointed for industries under the program.

According to estimates there are around 4,600 medium and large-scale commercial establishments and industries of which 1,600 account for around 80 percent of the energy consumption in the industrial sector.“Around 800 energy managers will be appointed to the 1,600 institutions. We have already appointed 150 energy managers for these institutions,” Dr. Sugathapala said.Sector specific programs will be launched under the EnMaP to promote energy conservation. An energy labelling program for electrical appliances will be launched this year. This program is being implemented for CFL bulbs.Around 200 GWH will be saved through this program. The use of incandescent bulbs has been reduced from around 30 million to 12 million. The use of CFL bulbs is around 20 million.

SLSEA with the Sri Lanka Standards Institute issues the ISO 50001 energy management certification.